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Robertson BP, Miller AJ, Rott GE, Quinn SM, Rahman E, Bachmann HR, Nistler AF, Xiong B, Calabrese MA. A Scalable and Surfactant-Free Emulsion Method for Producing Microbeads from Varied Biomass Feedstocks. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024; 40:17463-17475. [PMID: 39105736 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.4c01649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
Despite national and international regulations, plastic microbeads are still widely used in personal care and consumer products (PCCPs). These exfoliants and rheological modifiers cause significant microplastic pollution in natural aquatic environments. Microbeads from nonderivatized biomass like cellulose and lignin can offer a sustainable alternative to these nondegradable microplastics, but processing this biomass into microbeads is challenging due to limited viable solvents and high biomass solution viscosities. To produce biomass microbeads of the appropriate size range for PCCPs (ca. 200-800 μm diameter) with shapes and mechanical properties comparable to those of commercial plastic microbeads, we used a surfactant-free emulsion/precipitation method, mixing biomass solutions in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (EMImAc) with various oils and precipitating with ethanol. While yield of microbeads within the target size range highly depends on purification conditions, optimized protocols led to >90% yield of cellulose microbeads. Kraft lignin was then successfully incorporated into beads at up to 20 wt %; however, higher lignin contents result in emulsion destabilization unless surfactant is added. Finally, the microbead shape and surface morphology can be tuned using oils of varying viscosities and interfacial tensions. Dripping measurements and pendant drop tensiometry confirmed that the higher affinity of cellulose for certain oil/IL interfaces largely controlled the observed surface morphology. This work thus outlines how biomass composition, oil viscosity, and interfacial properties can be altered to produce more sustainable microbeads for use in PCCPs, which have desirable mechanical properties and can be produced over a wide range of shapes and surface morphologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin P Robertson
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Audrey J Miller
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Gerald E Rott
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Siena M Quinn
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Ehsanur Rahman
- Department of Civil, Environmental, & Geo-Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Hannah R Bachmann
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Abbie F Nistler
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Boya Xiong
- Department of Civil, Environmental, & Geo-Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Michelle A Calabrese
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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Singh P, Varshney G, Kaur R. Primary Microplastics in the Ecosystem: Ecological Effects, Risks, and Comprehensive Perspectives on Toxicology and Detection Methods. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH. PART C, TOXICOLOGY AND CARCINOGENESIS 2024:1-52. [PMID: 38967482 DOI: 10.1080/26896583.2024.2370715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Recent discoveries of microplastics in cities, suburbs, and even remote locations, far from microplastic source regions, have raised the possibility of long-distance transmission of microplastics in many ecosystems. A little is known scientifically about the threat that it posed to the environment by microplastics. The problem's apparent size necessitates the rapid development of reliable scientific advice regarding the ecological risks of microplastics. These concerns are brought on by the lack of consistent sample and identification techniques, as well as the limited physical analysis and understanding of microplastic pollution. This review provides insight regarding some unaddressed issues about the occurrence, fate, movement, and impact of microplastics, in general, with special emphasis on primary microplastics. The approaches taken in the earlier investigations have been analyzed and different recommendations for future research have been suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Singh
- Discipline of Polymer Science and Chemical Technology, Department of Applied Chemistry, Delhi Technological University (Formerly Delhi College of Engineering), Delhi, India
| | - Gunjan Varshney
- Discipline of Polymer Science and Chemical Technology, Department of Applied Chemistry, Delhi Technological University (Formerly Delhi College of Engineering), Delhi, India
| | - Raminder Kaur
- Discipline of Polymer Science and Chemical Technology, Department of Applied Chemistry, Delhi Technological University (Formerly Delhi College of Engineering), Delhi, India
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Binelli A, Magni S, Della Torre C, Sbarberi R, Cremonesi C, Galafassi S. Monthly variability of floating plastic contamination in Lake Maggiore (Northern Italy). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 919:170740. [PMID: 38340826 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
The monitoring of plastics in freshwater ecosystems has witnessed a significant increase in recent years, driven by the awareness that approximately 80 % of marine plastic litter originates from terrestrial sources transported to the seas through lakes and rivers. Consequently, it is imperative to develop monitoring plans that offer a comprehensive understanding of plastic contamination in these aquatic environments, given their seasonal variations in hydrochemical characteristics and anthropogenic sources. Historically, most global lake monitoring campaigns have been limited to one-time or, at most, seasonal sampling. In this context, the primary objective of the present study was to assess the quantitative and qualitative monthly variations of floating plastics in Lake Maggiore, a large European lake with high ecological and economic significance. Twelve transverse transects were conducted from January to December 2022 using a Manta-net with a 100 μm mesh. Characterization of each plastic particle was performed using a μ-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscope (μFT-IR). The results revealed relatively low levels of contamination in Lake Maggiore when compared with other lakes worldwide exclusively from a secondary origin. However, a considerable heterogeneity was observed, both quantitatively and qualitatively. Notably, we identified a 13-fold difference between the minimum (0.02 plastics/m3 in September) and maximum (0.29 plastics/m3 in December) concentrations of plastics, accompanied by significant variations in polymer composition. Our monitoring underscored the necessity of also considering the temporal variation as a potential factor influencing plastic contamination in a lake. Moreover, frequent sampling emerged as a crucial requirement to accurately gauge the extent of plastic pollution, yielding robust and valuable data essential for effective environmental management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Binelli
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Magni
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Camilla Della Torre
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Riccardo Sbarberi
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Cremonesi
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Galafassi
- National Research Council, Water Research Institute (CNR-IRSA), Largo Tonolli 50, 28922 Verbania Pallanza, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Palermo, Italy
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